eptos Dictionary Manager User Guide
eptos Dictionary Manager User Guide
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Relations

Overview

Free relations are non-standard relations between structure elements. They are not restricted to be between structure elements of the same type in general. This can be set by a configuration in Base Module named “free relation config”. There, one can define the element types for which a restriction of free relation to same type is applied.

The purpose of free relations is to express that certain structure elements are in a relation that is not one of the standard relations available in eptos such as:

  • is_characterized_by between item class and property (AS/BL/AC is described by properties)

  • is_case_of between classes (class AC is classified as special case of another class CC)

  • is_a/specialization between classes (under inheritance of properties of the superclass to the subclasses)

  • is_part_of/composition between classes (using reference property and block)

Instead, by using free relations one would express any non-standard relation that is also not triggering any relation-specific business logic in eptos such as:

              A is cheaper than B

              A sees B

            …

General Information

The workspace area for the management of Relations can be accessed via menu Relations. Information on the graphical user interface and basic functionalities can be found on page (6.2) (dicmgr user) Graphical User Interface and Basic Functions. This workspace offers users different functionalities described in brief in the following table as well as in more detail in the next chapters.

Toolbar in Browse View

Button Icon

Button Name

Description
search.png

Search

Triggers a search in the available content, considering the search options set in the advanced search.
image2022-7-14_15-33-42.png

Create

Allows creation of a new Relation.

Note: New Relation can be created only on existing Free Relation Types.
image2022-8-31_13-45-9.png

View

Allows viewing in read-only mode the attributes of a selected Relation.
image2022-7-14_15-34-26.png

Edit

Allows editing an existing Relation.
image2022-7-14_15-34-40.png

Delete

Allows deletion of a selected Relation.

System offers user a Quick Search function in the Relations tabular view. After user inserts desired search string in the search field and triggers the search, system executes a search in the available content. If advanced search options are selected, they are also considered.

The advanced search can be opened by pressing the Advanced Search arrow situated below the search field.

The following choice is available for "Search In":

  • Relation type

    • Property-Property

    • Article-Sparepart

    • Article-Similar

    • Unit-Equiv

    • Item-Extended Attribute

    • BSP-BSP

    • …

Create

This functionality allows the user to create new Relations.

The precondition of creating a new Relation is that the relevant Relation Type already exists in system. As a first step, the Relation Type needs to be created in Base Module / Structure / Relation types by user with Administrator rights (for more details, please see Base Module Administrator Guide). After the Relation Type is selected from the corresponding drop-down, the two ends of the Relation may be selected, by pressing the corresponding icon for each. Depending on the chosen Relation Type, system will guide the user to the appropriate lists of elements for each end.

After the two ends have been selected, user may save the new Relation. As soon as Save button is pressed, system returns to the general list of available Relations, in which the newly created one is also included.

View

This functionality allows the user to view a Relation in read-only mode.

As soon as Relation View button is pressed, system displays details of the selected Relation, including Relation type, End 1 and End 2, without possibility of making any changes.

Edit

This functionality allows the user to edit a Relation.

As soon as Edit button is pressed, system displays details of the selected Relation, including Relation type, End 1 and End 2. Relation type cannot be changed, but the user has the possibility to select a different End 1 or End 2 or change both. 

After making the desired changes, Save button needs to be selected. System then returns to the general list of available Relations.

Delete

This functionality allows the user to delete an existing Relation.

As soon as Delete button is pressed, system displays details of the selected Relation, including Relation type, End 1 and End 2. User needs to click again in this detail page the Delete button, in order to confirm his decision. 

System then returns to the general list of available Relations, from which the deleted Relation has been removed.